Tanuki
⭐ 8/10
👥 3-6 players
🕗 20 minutes
👨👩👧👦 7+
Goal
In Tanuki, a card game by White Goblin Games, it’s all about tactics, a bit of luck, and a healthy dose of interaction. The goal? Collect as many bamboo points as possible by playing clever card combinations in your garden while trying to thwart your opponents.
How to Play
Each player starts with a gardener and a samurai in their garden. The gardener earns points, while the samurai provides protection against attacks from other players. On your turn, you play a card from your hand: an action card that allows you to steal or destroy cards, or a character card that can strengthen your (or someone else’s!) garden.
The second half of the game is triggered by a special event card, after which the battle for the bamboo points really heats up. Once the draw pile runs out, the player with the most points wins.
Review
For families and children: Tanuki is a light and quick game, perfect for playing with kids. The humorous text on the cards, combined with colorful and playful artwork, creates a fun atmosphere at the table. The constant “take-that” element—where everyone is constantly sabotaging each other—keeps things light and ensures that no one feels left out. Our kids (7 and 10 years old) had a great time with the chaos and immediately wanted to play another round.
For adults: For a group of adults, Tanuki lacks depth. The strategy is limited, and the luck element of drawing cards can sometimes be a bit frustrating. It’s fine as a quick filler, but for a game night with adults, there are better options.
Tanuki is highly recommended for families or younger players who enjoy a short, interactive challenge. For the price (around €10-€15), you get an accessible game that’s easy to learn and can lead to plenty of laughs!
